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I recently ordered a Sauter Delta (185cm) from Heritage Pianos in Surrey, BC back at the end of June. The dealer, Norbert Marten and a dear friend of mine gave me a great deal on a pre-order basis, but no piano would be available until sometime in October.

Recently, I asked Norbert if he would ask Mr. Sauter to sign my piano. Not only did Mr. Sauter agree to sign my piano, but even agreed to take some pictures of himself doing so. I am pretty impressed that he was so accommodating!

I can’t imagine too many piano makers doing something like that. I would imagine they would be overwhelmed with requests.

Below are the pictures of Mr. Ulrich Sauter signing the plate of my piano that is still under construction at the factory in Spaichingen, Germany.

Funny story…. I sent these pictures to my friend Oren in Israel, as he knew I was waiting patiently for the delivery date. His response, which cracked me up was ‘Now you have ultrasound pictures of your new baby!’ or something to that effect.

If it's half as good as the Sauter Omega 220cm I saw in Amersfoort earlier this summer then you've got a great piano.

Norbert had an Omega that had been used as furniture for several years was and in on consignment. He offered me a fantastic deal on that piano, which by the way got me very enthusiastic on the Sauter line. Unfortunately the timing wasn’t there and he eventually sold the piano to a local music teaching for a screaming deal. I hated to see that one slip away.

I have played on one other Sauter Delta that Norbert has and it is also fantastic, but it’s also sold and is still at his shop waiting to be delivered.

I’ve been researching pianos for quite a few years in anticipation of getting the piano of my dreams at some point. I’ve played Steinway, Schimmel, Petrov, Yamaha C and S series, Knabe, Grotrian, Kawai RX and Fazioli. All very nice pianos, but for me, Sauter is the one.

I've heard your Australia's Stuart & Sons pianos. If they sound anything like the demo CD I've heard, they are just heavenly. I've heard though they are extremely expensive. Fazioli range.

Stuart & Sons pianos take, on the average, 12 months to construct, so your wait would have much longer :-) As a result, being handcrafted from start to finish, they are on the expensive side but you do get what you pay for. Their sound is quite extraordinary.

I have recorded high end pianos with many different microphones, but there is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that the best are Earthworks. Once again, not cheap, but if you want the best ...

All you need to do now is download some decent music from www.pianophilia.com and you'll be on your way :-)

I've heard your Australia's Stuart & Sons pianos. If they sound anything like the demo CD I've heard, they are just heavenly. I've heard though they are extremely expensive. Fazioli range.

Stuart & Sons pianos take, on the average, 12 months to construct, so your wait would have much longer :-) As a result, being handcrafted from start to finish, they are on the expensive side but you do get what you pay for. Their sound is quite extraordinary.

I'm not sure how long it takes Sauter to build a piano, but I think the one the will be heading my way was already in progress before I ordered it. The fit and finish on these instruments is impeccable.

Originally Posted By: CJM

[quote=allthumbs]I have recorded high end pianos with many different microphones, but there is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that the best are Earthworks. Once again, not cheap, but if you want the best ....

That is good to know. I'll check those mics out. I remember years ago trying to record with a Sennheiser mic with horrendous results.

Originally Posted By: CJM

[quote=allthumbs]

All you need to do now is download some decent music from www.pianophilia.com and you'll be on your way :-)

RegardsChris

Actually, I have been a member and sometimes contributor at pianophilia for a number of years, although I haven't been there lately.

I also collect and scan music in pdf format and over the years I have amassed about 30,000 pieces of music by 3,000 different composers. I also have about another 4,000 pieces I've collected but haven't categorized yet.

The Grotrian dealer in Brisbane also has Stuart and Sons. He's got a 7'6" in stock. Lovely piano, but quite - well, different. I didn't spend much time on it, as I knew it was out of my price range. But to hear it being played by an accomplished pianist at the piano club, I'm sure it would be a delight to own. Very powerful.

We am just as excited about your piano as you are. Thank you very much for the trust you have placed in us and Sauter. For those who are interested Sauter is one of only very few German manufacturers still today headed by a member of the original founding family. Back in 1819 it is making Sauter world's oldest manufacturer still in operation today. It also one of very few German makers offering no sub-lines built elsewhere. Sauter insists building everything 100% in Germany with all parts and components made there as well. They have no ambition to compete in anything but the very best. It may be a small maker but they are selling all they make. That's why the wait. While I personally prefer the regular models like Delta and Omega, we're expecting an order anytime soon for one of their most exclusive models, the Peter Maly designed 7' semi-concert "Ambiente". Only one is being made per year, available also with 250 inlaid Saworsky Crystals. I've seen only one of these models myself before and while not my personal style, they are nothing short of stunning. Those interested to view a close up of this piano, pictures attached below.Thank you very much!

The Grotrian dealer in Brisbane also has Stuart and Sons. He's got a 7'6" in stock. Lovely piano, but quite - well, different. I didn't spend much time on it, as I knew it was out of my price range. But to hear it being played by an accomplished pianist at the piano club, I'm sure it would be a delight to own. Very powerful.

Well, you do have a wonderful instrument yourself. The Grotrians that I have played were world-class. That is one of the pianos I would love to own, but unless you have lots of room and money, you eventually have to pick one...

Well, after some delays in finishing the piano and a delay in shipping, my new Sauter Delta grand piano (185cm or 6'1") arrived last Tuesday, October 30th from the factory in Spaichingen, Germany.

The crate it came in was too big to fit into the 5 ton truck that the movers had, so they had to take it out of the crate in the Customs warehouse!

The crate also had 4 accelerometers on it so that if the piano was ever tipped the incorrect way or dropped and jolted beyond a certain tolerance, the sensors would trip and cannot be tampered with. The piano would not have been accepted from Customs by the movers.

Here are a few pictures now that it is all set up. The tone is gorgeous and the action is smoooooth. The padded adjustable bench is calf leather from Burghardt Klavierbänke, a well-known piano bench manufacturing company in Europe. Sauter doesn't make piano benches apparently.

Complete with the ubiquitous metronome and bust of Beethoven.

The fit and finish on this piano is immaculate and the prep beyond anything that I could have hoped for.

The lid can be lifted to 3 levels. You can see the two shorter lid props imbedded into the long one.

This picture show the keyboard and string covers. The string cover is 100% wool Melton double thick fabric.

This is what the owner of Sauter pianos Mr Ulrich Sauter, graciously signed on the plate for me.

Norbert presenting me with the key.

Norbert supervised the move into the house and got the piano action ready to go. He and his lovely wife Lina, put the piano bench together for me as well. Afterwards, we all went to dinner and celebrated.

I owe alot to Norbert for making this all possible and I don't think I'll ever be able to repay him for his generosity and help in aiding me in fulfilling my dream.